Seattle Mariners Select Cousino In 3rd Rd Of MLB Draft

Seattle Mariners Select Cousino In 3rd Rd Of MLB Draft

06/07/2014 12:36 AM

(WTVQ-TV, LLC)

Kentucky Centerfielder Picked No. 80 Overall

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky junior centerfielder Austin Cousino has been selected in the third round, going No. 80 overall, in the 2014 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners, it was announced on Friday afternoon.

A native of Dublin, Ohio, Cousino was selected in the third round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners, going 80th overall. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound left-handed hitter, is the second Kentucky star to be selected in the 2014 MLB Draft after junior A.J. Reed led off the second round as the pick of the Houston Astros.

The 2012 Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year, Cousino is the 35th Kentucky player be drafted in the UK head coach Gary Henderson era over the last six drafts, including the 15th top-10 round selection. Since Henderson and recruiting coordinator Brad Bohannon arrived on campus in 2004, a total of 59 players have been drafted or sign a professional contract.

Cousino owns a decorated three-year career, pacing the Wildcats to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, including a school-record 45-win season in 2012. Cousino started all 178 games of the first three years of his UK career, hitting .295 (216-for-732) with 47 doubles, seven triples, 19 homers and 48 steals. Cousino owns a .456 slugging and a .386 on-base percentage in his career, charting 17 outfield assists.

The 2013 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner and a two-time selection by the SEC coaches to the All-SEC Defensive Team, Cousino is coming off a junior season where he played in 61 games, hitting .308, with 15 doubles, four triples, four homers and 38 RBI, stealing a career-high 19 bases. In 2012, Cousino earned freshman All-America accolades after hitting .319 with 20 doubles, two triples, nine homers and 41 RBI, swiping 15 bags. After entering his sophomore season as the Baseball America SEC Preseason Player of the Year, Cousino hit .249 with 12 doubles, one triple, six homers and 27 RBI, stealing 14 bases.

Cousino is a three-time member of a USA Baseball National Team, playing on the collegiate national team twice in his UK career, leading the USA club in hitting after his freshman season in 2012. He also played on the 2009 USA Baseball 16-U National Team, earning MVP honors of the IBAF World Championship.

The 2014 MLB Draft will continue through round 10 on Friday, before concluding with the final 30 rounds on Saturday. Complete coverage is available on MLB.com.